Positive Ferguson determined to arrest Tangerines decline

Midfielder Barry Ferguson will lead out managerless Blackpool as the one in charge on the day - however he has not committed to taking on the role permanently.

The Scotsman met with club chairman Karl Oyston this week to discuss a potential managerial future with Tangerines following the sacking of Paul Ince on Tuesday. Assistants Steve Thompson and Alex Rae were also dismissed following the Seasiders’ dismal record of nine defeats in 10 games.

Ferguson has this week stepped into the vacant coaching role and was determined to see his side through the problematic period, however, stressed to reporters that he had not ‘fully considered’ the permanent move into management.

“I never look at the negatives – I always remain positive,” Ferguson told the Blackpool Gazette.

“At the start of this season my aim was to get promotion and it will always be the case.

“If it’s not promotion we still have to look at the play-offs. As a person and a player, I still want to make a push for the play-offs.”

He went on: “I’m a positive person and all the lads in the dressing room are positive. We need to look at it that way. We need to get out of this mess, then creep into the play-offs.”

One man who thinks Ferguson could take on the role and drive Pool out of the mire is his former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat.

The Dutchman, who brought Ferguson to Gers, said on his former captain: “I’m confident he can have a good career as a coach.”

Pool currently sit 14th in the Championship, eight points above the relegation zone and nine outside the top six.